Consolation can be broadly understood as an uplifting movement of the heart that brings joy and peace. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between natural, non-spiritual consolations and those that are truly supernatural, spiritual.
Non-Spiritual (Natural) Consolation:
Non-spiritual consolation refers to those moments of joy or contentment that arise from ordinary, everyday experiences, such as enjoying a beautiful day, having a good workout, savoring a delicious meal, or engaging in a pleasant conversation. These moments, while enriching and important as gifts from our Creator, do not have a direct reference to our spiritual life. Nonetheless, they hold value:
- Enriching Gifts: Non-spiritual consolations are valuable gifts that enrich our lives and help us appreciate the beauty of creation.
- Springboard for Spiritual Consolations: These experiences can often create a fertile ground where spiritual consolation can take root. The joy and peace derived from these moments can become the space in which God’s grace is felt more deeply.
The Danger of Misinterpreting Non-Spiritual Consolation:
It’s important to recognize that while non-spiritual consolations are good, they should not be mistaken for spiritual guidance:
- Avoid Misinterpretation: Just because you feel a sense of relief or pleasure in a certain situation, it doesn’t mean that these feelings are from God or should guide your spiritual decisions. For example, a feeling of freedom after considering leaving a job might not necessarily indicate that leaving is God’s will.
- Discernment in Spiritual Matters: Non-spiritual consolations should not be the basis for discerning spiritual matters. These feelings, though positive, must be carefully interpreted to avoid drawing incorrect spiritual conclusions.
Spiritual (Supernatural) Consolation:
Spiritual consolation goes beyond the natural, touching directly on our relationship with God. It is a gift from God, often emerging within or after moments of non-spiritual consolation. The key question to distinguish between the two is: Does this consoling experience lift my heart to God?
Examples of Non-Spiritual Leading to Spiritual Consolation:
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s Experience:
- Natural Consolation: Thérèse’s heart was uplifted by the sight of a mother hen protecting her chicks.
- Spiritual Consolation: This natural joy transitioned into a deep spiritual insight, leading Thérèse to reflect on God’s tender care and to feel overwhelming love and gratitude.
- A Mother’s Delight:
- Natural Consolation: A mother feels joy and peace as she gazes at her sleeping infant.
- Spiritual Consolation: This moment deepens as she feels gratitude towards God for His goodness, turning the experience into a spiritual encounter.
- Completion of Work:
- Natural Consolation: A man feels content after completing a project at work.
- Spiritual Consolation: Reflecting on this, he gains confidence in God’s ongoing presence in his life, transforming his contentment into spiritual consolation.
- Listening to Music:
- Natural Consolation: A woman feels her heart uplifted by beautiful music.
- Spiritual Consolation: As she continues to listen, she becomes aware of God’s beauty and presence, making the moment spiritually enriching.
As Fr. Timothy Gallagher writes, “In these and many other examples, healthy non-spiritual consolation has become the space into which God has infused the grace of spiritual consolation” (Gallagher, Spiritual Consolation, 52).
Conclusion:
Recognizing the difference between non-spiritual and spiritual consolation is crucial for spiritual growth. While non-spiritual consolations are beautiful and valuable in their own right, true spiritual consolation is a divine gift that directs our hearts toward God. By understanding and discerning these experiences, we can better navigate our spiritual journey, allowing God’s grace to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Prodigal Catholic 